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In Chapter 9 Lynch describes how truth is so vital as compared to lying. It is disrespectful to humans to not give them truthful information. In the same way in Chapter 8 Lynch states how happiness can be derived from truth. Finally in Chapter ten he states that for us to realize a true liberal democracy we must stand up for what is not always in the majority.
It seems that for us to avoid a Orwellian situation like he had stated in chapter 10, we must have more than just the authority as a source on what is happening. This is usually the invisible hand which is considered the media. In the Vietnam war, reporters were trying to get the truth and finding out as much information as they possible can. They were skeptical, they were full of inquiry and they didn't falter in going against popular opinion. However in the Iraq war we see a different story. Reporters were embedded into the army units which made them feel like they were a part of the team, it enhanced the US vs. Them mentality. Furthermore the U.S. didn't allow press that they had pre-filtered to being hostile toward the inititive. Their was many problems that resulted, one of which was deception.
Lynch is right that we must individually strive to find out what is true, but it becomes very hard to do when avenues of information are being tainted to fit one viewpoint. The public oppinion test also fails when the path of destruction laid down is as extensive as it were. From the rendition and illegal torture of terror suspects, to the pre-emptive take over, when not equipped with the instrument in which to find truth, there is no grounds in which liberalism can flourish and have an goverment represent them accuratly.
Mental Models of Purpose of College
2 years ago
So, it sounds like you think we are Orwellian. Any thoughts on how to counter this?
ReplyDeleteI guess one way to counter my own argument is that their are some that do stand up for intellectual integrity and in some areas we realize that truth is good but don't take the effort to pursue it. The error can come when we seem to fortify justification unreasonably. An example can be traced back the the WMD example in the first chapter. We sent information to Newsweek of what our beliefs where even though they were not justified, Newsweek felt justified in reporting it, the government later quoted Newsweek and this is a transformation of how theory became fact. It was then accepted by many. The problem stems with a consensus on many to settle on a postmodernist ideology, even when this was an instance in which verificationism would be more appropriate. If we use the right ideology when applicable like Lynch says then we can justify our beliefs more accurately.
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